L2 Coach Prerequisites

[-Ginge-]

Does anyone know if the possession of a 3* in any discipline is actually a strict requirement for L2 coach? I don't doubt my ability to get through one, it just seem silly if I already have 4*. Which doesn't need a 3* just the ability to perform at the level. Anyone got any ideas?

[TheKrikkitWars]

I hear all L2 candidates are required to have a soul.... Tough break Ginge.

[TechnoEngineer]

Give the BCU a call.

Bear in mind that you need to be competent to 3* level in another discipline. A question I have on that - can it be any discipline (e.g. Sea/Surf if primary is WW) or must it be "one blade if two blades" i.e. if your primary 3* is a kayak-based discipline, does the alternate have to be open canoe?

[biketastik]

http://www.canoe-england.co.uk/media/pdf/Doc%201%20Level%202%20Precourse%20Information%202%20feb%2009.pdf see page six of that document for prerequisites for training and assessment

[Scots_Charles_River]

You need one 3 star and be as good in another discipline. I would suggest lots of open solo paddling before you go if that's your 2nd discipline.

It's a open/kayak award not one discipline. I'll bet the course tends to mainly Kayakers........

[Jokie]

I'd suggest you brush up on your open boat skills, both solo and double. My L2 assessors expected me to perform to three star standard in an open boat and devised some demanding tests which I promptly failed. I'd managed to get some decent solo practice in, but was less skilled in paddling with a partner. Having to then paddle backwards with an equally unskilled guy I'd just met, around a defined course on moving water, was not something I could pull off in approved BCU fashion. Mind you, a friend of mine only had to paddle a canoe in a straight line to pass another L2 assessment - with different assessors.

So there's another suggestion - have a chat with potential assessors and ask what they think. Some will be big open boat fans and will consider open boating an important part of L2. Others will recognise that you are a kayaker who wants to teach other kayakers, and won't be so fussed about your open boat skills.

[peakfreak]

You need to have 3* Kayak or Canoe and be of 3* standard in the other craft. If you don't have the second 3* then you will also need a CPD Module. 4* won't do as 4* is a leadership award.

How do I know this? Because I am litterally typing up my L2 portfolio in readiness for my assessment in a couple of weeks. Quite simply it sucks! Fill in this form, prepare that information, pay out for this qualification, jump through all these hoops, stand on one leg whilst holding a wet haddock and singing it's a long way to Tipparery through your trumper.

The haddock and singing is not actually a pre-requisite but it feels like it.

[quicky]

The haddock and singing is not actually a pre-requisite but it feels like it.

Peakfreak read page 237 of the pre-requisites again. I think you'll find it is ;)

[peakfreak]

Peakfreak read page 237 of the pre-requisites again. I think you'll find it is ;)

Ohhh Shhh******tttt :-)

[-Ginge-]

4* won't do as 4* is a leadership award.

I feared as much, It just seems silly that Im allowed to lead on grade 2/3, so I obviously have the skills to paddle grade 1/2 water.

[dpround]

You need to be 3* standard in both kayak and canoe (one blade and two blade.) You need at least one 3*. You have the option of having a 3* kayak and 3* canoe and then you do not need the additional CPD module.

David

[Ian Dallaway]

4* won't do as 4* is a leadership award.

I feared as much, It just seems silly that Im allowed to lead on grade 2/3, so I obviously have the skills to paddle grade 1/2 water.

Not really, There are certain skills in the 3* award that aren't tested in the 4* leadership award.

On the UKCC L2 award you are expected to be able to teach 3* skills. If you can't do them yourself then coaching them becomes a little more difficult.

..........of course if you can do all the 3* skills then go and get the ticket to prove it and everything'll be fine.

[Adrian Cooper]

If you can't do them yourself then coaching them becomes a little more difficult.

This has been the subject of some debate in the past.

[-Ginge-]

if you can do all the 3* skills then go and get the ticket to prove it and everything'll be fine.

I'm pretty sure I can pass my 3* in at least three disciplines, Just seems expensive and pointless.

[peakfreak]

Ginge, would the APL (Accredited Prior Learning) route be an option for you?
I'm not sure how it works but it may be worth a try.
I wouldn't hold out much hope though as 20 years paddling experience didn't count for me.

[-Ginge-]

Ginge, would the APL (Accredited Prior Learning) route be an option for you?
I'm not sure how it works but it may be worth a try.
I wouldn't hold out much hope though as 20 years paddling experience didn't count for me.

I'm attempting to find out the answer for this but struggling to find anything in the reams of BCU paperwork.

[Ian Dallaway]

I doubt that the APL route will be successful to get the 3* award. It would be very difficult to prove that you are of the required standard without actually being assessed. In any case, the time taken by the APL might be too long to wait for an answer.

The cheapest way is to get a few mates together (6 would be optimum) and book an assessor for a day to run the assessment for you.

If you have any L3 coaches in your club they might be able to do this for you for minimal cost.

Contact your LCO/RCO and see if they can help you with an assessor/assessment.

[Three Coats]

...or a UKCC Level 2 with MWE (canoe) who's registered to assess 3*...you don't get that status immediately any more, you have to...

...observe someone elses 3* at least two, then find an assessors nice enough to observe you while you deliver a 3* and THEN you can run your own assessments.

And then of course there's the new L3...but that's another story as they say, and you thought Level 2 was complicated!

...haddock and singing is the easy bit!!!

[Scots_Charles_River]

You need to be 3* standard in both kayak and canoe (one blade and two blade.) You need at least one 3*. You have the option of having a 3* kayak and 3* canoe and then you do not need the additional CPD module.

David

A CPD Module at Foundation level could cost as little as a tenner and they last three hours, they are 'attendance' not assessed. I have done two in winter evenings.

[Scots_Charles_River]

Does anyone know if the possession of a 3* in any discipline is actually a strict requirement for L2 coach? I don't doubt my ability to get through one, it just seem silly if I already have 4*. Which doesn't need a 3* just the ability to perform at the level. Anyone got any ideas?

Have you done L2 Training ? You won't get on one without 1 3 Star.

As all this would come out within your action plan for assessment.

[KrisH]

Not really, There are certain skills in the 3* award that aren't tested in the 4* leadership award.

On the UKCC L2 award you are expected to be able to teach 3* skills. If you can't do them yourself then coaching them becomes a little more difficult.

..........of course if you can do all the 3* skills then go and get the ticket to prove it and everything'll be fine.

Are you sure about that ... I thought the remit of a UKCC L2 coach was to teach and to assess up to 2 star ?

[Mad_Erik]

Yes, if you want to asess 3 Star you have to do 4 Star in the relevant discipline, then MWE training and assessment in that discipline. Then observe 1 or more assessments then be observed running an assessment and signed off by a current assessor.

All this means 12 more days and about £500 if you use comercial course providers.

[Scots_Charles_River]

Vanilla - UKCC Level 2 can Assess 2 Star only.

Yes add on the rest for 3 star Assessor 'pistachio' L2.........

[twopigs]

Not really, There are certain skills in the 3* award that aren't tested in the 4* leadership award.

On the UKCC L2 award you are expected to be able to teach 3* skills. If you can't do them yourself then coaching them becomes a little more difficult.

..........of course if you can do all the 3* skills then go and get the ticket to prove it and everything'll be fine.

Are you sure about that ... I thought the remit of a UKCC L2 coach was to teach and to assess up to 2 star ?

Surely the remit of a UKCC L2 is to plan and deliver up to 6 progressive sessions? If you had a UKCC L2 with 4* or you judged them to be of a good 3* standard they could easily coach 3* skills.... The qualification is about coaching ability, not about limiting the technical skills they can coach in some manner....... Or they could supervise and help with the development of Level 1s.....

[Ian Dallaway]

Not really, There are certain skills in the 3* award that aren't tested in the 4* leadership award.

On the UKCC L2 award you are expected to be able to teach 3* skills. If you can't do them yourself then coaching them becomes a little more difficult.

..........of course if you can do all the 3* skills then go and get the ticket to prove it and everything'll be fine.

Are you sure about that ... I thought the remit of a UKCC L2 coach was to teach and to assess up to 2 star ?

The L2 award can assess 2* skills. You can also teach 3* skills in that same sheltered environment. Then with a 4* leadership award and MWE bolt-on, you can coach in the moderate water environment and assess the 3star.

[Scots_Charles_River]

UKCC Level 1 Coaches - 'They can work with paddlers at any stage of development'. But Assess to 1 star.

[-Ginge-]

Sorry to answer my own question here and to prove alot of you were wrong, but after sucessful stalking the BCU rang me up today to tell me I am able to APL and avoid 3*. Apparently they trust my ability to paddle.

[peakfreak]

Sorry to answer my own question here and to prove alot of you were wrong, but after sucessful stalking the BCU rang me up today to tell me I am able to APL and avoid 3*. Apparently they trust my ability to paddle.

You have got to be sh*tin me! You must have fluttered some major baby blue eyes.
I had old 5* & ACU Instructor and 20 years paddling experience and still they said no.
I guess the several years break in between I had makes me an outcast :-s
I'm on to page 40 of my portfolio, and many sheckles from my beer and shiny kit fund, is this really worth it!!!!
Ah well back to it.

[Mad_Erik]

Anyone has the right to apply for APL... whether you get it or not is another thing. Heard of lots of people with masses of experience and quals turned down. Yo have to wait months for the APL board to meet and make their decision.

Even if you do get APL for the 3 Star, you still have to perform at 3* Standard at the assessment.

[Ian Dallaway]

Even if you do get APL for the 3 Star, you still have to perform at 3* Standard at the assessment.

Spot on!
...........In a kayak and a canoe on the UKCC L2 assessment.